The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.

                                                                                                       - Frank Herbert

For over a year, I have heard strange noises in the Cavern, and wondered if I have been imagining it. I had wondered for a great while if I was truly alone in the cavern, or if there were other explorers who had evaded the DRC and their extremely effective methods of closing routes back here.

Perhaps I was simply deluding myself by thinking I was the only one intelligent enough to predict the move the DRC would make. However, even after several statements by friends in this Journal, I did not realise the truth. Only recently, upon reading through Mr. Lord’s writings have I come to the correct realisation.

That I am not alone.

Of course, I should have seen it a long time ago. The questions and concerns race through my mind. Do I seek them out? Do I remain hidden? They are down in the Cavern actively doing as I would, creating Ages and keeping a precious few roots of the tree alive.

My instincts tell me to remain where I am. I am extremely surprised I haven’t been discovered yet. My quarters are not hidden with great effort, and I run a generator many hours out of the day (the 30 hour day of course). I may have to take steps to move the generators to another location and stifle the deafening noise they produce.

Perhaps they have seen me, and they too, desire solitude. Perhaps they would rather leave me to my own musings.

I would like to pay certain explorers and students of the art a visit though.

The foundation is coming together for Luminesce. I’ve been poring over the my Codex for the perfect verbage for the type of rock I desire. I’m looking for a very specific consistancy and resistance to water erosion. Already I have counted over a dozen pages of words for rock, each is accented slightly differently.  My Codex, which wasn’t in fabulous condition when I found it (as you know) has begun to deteriorate further due to my constant abuse.

The problem is compounded by the fact that D’ni names for different stone and rock are completely foreign to me. I refer to naturally formed stone, not the artificial, D’ni-made material.

My first attempt at Luminesce had me just throwing in the first word for rock I could find that I could accurately scratch out. This time I am indulging my accute perfectionism in hopes that it will lead to a more stable foundation and a more stable Age.

I’ve been searching through the Third Age book looking to see what words its author used. Perhaps I can simply copy over the phrases they use for certain characteristics into my own Descriptive Book.

In any case, I have been feeling very motivated. Mr. Lord’s stained glass piece has fueled my desire to see Luminesce come to life. Thank you again for that my friend.

Back in the Cavern. Back in my quarters. It’s surprising how warm and inviting this place can be sometimes. Surprising that I am more at home here, with my books and desk bathed the orange light of my lamps, than I am in any of the hundred rooms of my Father’s house.

Travel is always the most difficult part. If only I could learn to write Linking Books to different places here. When I first came to the Cavern, I frequently had long daydreams of having dozens of books, all leading to places around the globe that I could access at any time. The idea was intoxicating, to say the least.

Ah well. Work begins again. I’m glad I was convinced not to burn my failure Luminesce book. It has already helped me.

The base islands have begun to be fleshed out. There will be a point soon when I will have to take the plunge into my first Age unprotected.

My heart sinks to think of it. I have been unable to bring myself to visit my One Words. An experiment on eternal hold…